Traveling is an opportunity to study, relax, explore the world and be a free person at the same time. This is the best thing that can happen in life, and there is hardly a person who is ready to argue with this. The best way to travel is to buy a plane ticket and go to some distant or not quite country in order to spend time with benefit and leave good impressions and warm memories after the trip.
Many people choose airplanes as their means of transport. It is practical, convenient, fast, safe and comfortable. But, alas, this is one of the most expensive modes of transport (although there are exceptions here). In any case, an airplane flight can make up almost half of the entire vacation budget somewhere in a southern country. But everything happens in life. It happens that the trip is cancelled.
What to do in this case? Can I return a plane ticket? Is it possible to get back at least a small part of the money spent on booking a flight? What do I need to do? Let's try to figure it out together.
How many days can I return the ticket
So, there are two news, according to tradition, one of them is good, the second is not very good. Let's start with the first one. Yes, it is possible to return a plane ticket purchased via the Internet or in any other way. The bad news is that this is not always possible, in some cases they will refuse you, in others they will reimburse only part of your costs, and with some airlines you will have to tinker and even go to court.
But do not rush to get upset, with a competent approach, absolutely everything is possible. The main thing is to observe a few very simple, but important conditions. First time. Yes, the phrase "time is money" here is not just a metaphor, but a rule. If you apply on the day of departure or a few hours before departure, you can expect almost nothing. In fact, each company has its own rules. Of course, they are regulated by laws, but in some cases, the ticket return time is regulated by internal charters. And when you buy a ticket, you automatically agree to the terms of this airline.
Therefore, be careful and study this issue as carefully as possible. For how much you can return a plane ticket is not an easy question. The earlier the better. An even more successful refund operation will be carried out if you inform that you will not fly on this flight at least two days before departure. You can, of course, try to do this before registration, but in this case the process will become more complicated, since it is unprofitable for the airline to lose money. After the end of registration and even more so after departure, tickets become non-refundable.
How much money can be returned
Can I return a plane ticket? Can. But is it possible to get, or rather return, the money spent? In theory, yes, although everything here also depends on the airline. They have their own rates, promotions, conditions and so on. People, as a rule, do not pay attention to such things, and then complain about how bad the airline is that they do not want to return the money, although, according to the law, they seem to have to do this. Few people know that there are initially non-refundable tickets, but we will talk about them a little later. They cannot be called absolutely irrevocable, so at least a small part of the money can still be returned.
Service fees paid when purchasing a ticket are also non-refundable. Also, many airlines impose a fine for returning a ticket, while its size is not fixed in any regulatory legal act, so here each company has its own “appetites”. If you want to know how to return a plane ticket and get a 100% refund, then you should familiarize yourself with the grounds for a ticket refund, which in most cases guarantee a full refund.
Reasons for ticket refund
There are two types of ticket refunds: voluntary and involuntary. In the first case, the passenger returns the ticket for no particular reason. Maybe he has it, but for the airline this reason is not a valid one. For example, if you had a fight with a companion, decided not to fly to this country, or your boss changed his mind about giving you a vacation, then in this case you will most likely not be able to return the full cost of the ticket. But at the same time, there are a number of reasons why the airline is obliged to consider your application and return all the money as soon as possible. This is the so-called forced return of tickets for a direct flight.
Valid reasons that guarantee a return include, for example, an official refusal of a visa. At the same time, you are obliged to document this refusal by providing all the necessary evidence. If the passenger was urgently hospitalized and he also has all the certificates for this, he can expect a refund. At the same time, his companions, who did not fly precisely because of the illness of their friend or relative, will not receive full compensation.
The death of a close relative (wife, parents, children) also allows you to get the money spent on tickets. It will only be necessary to prove kinship and provide a death certificate so that the airline has grounds to issue a refund. There are also a number of reasons for which the carrier itself is to blame: cancellation or serves as a reason for returning the ticket and receiving compensation for its cost.
All such cases are considered on an individual basis. The most important thing is to declare the return in time, at least a day before departure. This is written in all the rules for the return of air tickets. Some companies may consider your application on the same day, but be prepared for the whole procedure to take a week or even a month. This happens extremely rarely, but no one is immune from this.
When will the money come?
As noted above, the most important thing is to provide all the necessary evidence of the reason for the return. You need to do this as soon as possible, then there is every chance that the airline will meet you halfway and solve the problem as soon as possible. But it also happens that returning tickets for a direct flight is a difficult and time-consuming task. What to do in this case? Alas, we can only wait. But as soon as your return is officially recognized as forced, the process of transferring money to your bank card will immediately begin. Usually it takes several business days, in some cases the money has to wait about a week.
How to return an e-ticket
Nowadays, the so-called aggregators are very popular - services that look for the cheapest flights and help you book them right at home. This requires only the Internet. But what to do if you urgently need a plane ticket bought on the Internet?
In fact, the process of returning such a ticket is no different from what was described above. You need to inform the airline about the desire and reason for the return of the ticket, provide evidence that this is an involuntary return and expect money on a bank card. The main thing - do not forget to check if your e-ticket is marked non ref, which means "non-refundable". What to do if you find these words, and whether it is possible to return a ticket for a plane of this type, we will consider right now.
Non-refundable tickets
They are in great demand among air passengers. There is only one reason for this - such tickets are much cheaper than regular ones, so their purchase is more profitable. You are flying on a regular flight, but at a lower price. As a rule, people buy non-refundable tickets knowing for sure that they will fly. But, as mentioned above, life is an unpredictable thing, so sometimes there is a need to return such tickets.
How to get a refund for non-refundable tickets
Fortunately, the law provides for the cases in which you can claim a refund and describes how to return a plane ticket if it is "non-refundable". Of course, the airline suffers losses, but it cannot do anything about it and is obliged to return the money, otherwise the state will deprive it of its license and the right to transport people. In fact, there is nothing fundamentally new here, money for the return of such tickets is provided in the same cases as in the case of a regular ticket. An involuntary return is recognized in the event of your hospitalization, the death of a loved one, or if the carrier itself violated its obligations and delayed or canceled the flight.
conclusions
Alas, no one is immune from force majeure. Even today you can plan a trip, and a few days before departure, everything can change dramatically. That is why there is an opportunity to return the ticket and the money for it. Remember that it is best to contact the airline representative as soon as possible, provide all evidence that you will not be able to get on the flight and wait for the refund. Of course, it is best not to get into such situations and always get only positive emotions from traveling, but just in case, you should know whether it is possible to return a plane ticket and how to do it correctly.
In order to save money, many citizens prefer to book plane tickets in advance. If due to a life situation the planned trip has to be cancelled, it is important to know how to return the travel document back and how much is refundable.
Which tickets are refundable
Russian airlines are subject to domestic legislation, therefore they are obliged to return the money paid for the ticket to the passenger. This provision is spelled out in the Federal Aviation Rules and recorded in the Air Code of the Russian Federation. Please note that not the entire amount, but only a part of it, may be refundable, and the amount depends on the time of delivery of the travel document.
As for foreign companies involved in the transportation of passengers by air, pay attention to the rules under which they operate. This must be done before paying for the ticket. As practice shows, they return the money, but the applicant will receive the amount in his hands minus the fines and commissions provided by the airline.
What is a non-refundable rate
When buying a plane ticket, you should make sure that there is no NON REF / NON REFUNDABLE mark on it, which means irrevocable. As a rule, they are sold by shares or by low-cost companies. Non-refundable travel documents may be referred to differently by some companies. So, for example, at Aeroflot you will see a note Budget (Saver) or Promo (Promo).
It is important to know that it is still possible to return money on such tickets. According to the law, the company is obliged to pay money in case of violation of the contract of carriage or in case of illness of a citizen (with hospitalization), and it will be necessary to provide supporting documents. In addition, it is possible to return the amount that the carrier has taken in favor of other organizations under the laws of foreign states, from (to, through) the territory of which the passenger must be transported.
In practice, it is very difficult to return money for NON REF tickets, so companies often offer the passenger to exchange the travel document for another date by making a small surcharge. This option is considered optimal, since it is beneficial for both parties - the airline does not need to return the money, and the citizen saves time and nerves.
How to return tickets purchased online
Currently, it is not necessary to stand in line at the box office to buy a plane ticket. Make it easier and faster through the worldwide web. This is especially true for residents of cities that do not have airline offices in their locality. You can buy and return an electronic plane ticket using the Internet. To do this, you should adhere to the following algorithm:
- Apply. You need to do this on the website of the airline or the aggregator where you purchased the travel document. To do this, fill out the proposed form, entering personal data, flight number, booking code and other information there. If there is no such form on the carrier's website, you can make an application in any form, but it is important to indicate the maximum possible information.
- Make a scan of your passport and receipt of payment for the flight (invoice). It is important to know that only the person for whom it is issued can refund plane tickets.
- Upload scanned documents to the system and send an appeal, and then wait for a decision.
How much money can be returned
The ticket price includes not only the price of the flight itself, but also a number of commissions charged by the carrier from the passenger. For this reason, it is not necessary to count on a full refund of the entire amount. The legislation defines the following conditions:
- Upon notifying the airline no later than 24 hours before the end of the check-in period, the amount of the cost of the air travel document will be refunded for the flight, except for the costs actually incurred.
- If the carrier is notified less than 24 hours before the end of check-in for the flight, an additional penalty of 25% will be charged, although the airline is allowed to reduce this value.
- If notified later than the end of check-in for the flight, the fee is not refundable, unless there are good reasons for this.
- If the airline violates the terms of the contract, the full cost of the funds paid is reimbursed.
- In case of health problems of the passenger or his relatives who must fly with him, or their death, the carrier will return the entire amount if you notify him before the end of check-in for the flight.
Forced and voluntary return of tickets
Please note that depending on the reason for the inability to fly, the amount of compensation will differ:
- Voluntary return of air tickets. The more expensive the cost of the travel document (for example, if you travel in business class), the more money you will receive. The sooner you contact the carrier, the higher the chance to return the entire cost of the ticket.
- Forced flight cancellation. In this case, the airline will refund up to 100% of the price of the travel document, but to confirm the circumstances, it is necessary to provide documentary evidence, for example, a certificate of hospitalization or health status, a letter from the embassy refusing a visa, etc.
Return periods
Summing up, it can be noted that the sooner the passenger returns the ticket, the more likely it is to return the cost of the paid travel document in full:
- a few days before the end of check-in for the flight - up to 100% of the price;
- not less than a day before - up to 100% minus the actual costs of the air carrier;
- less than a day - up to 75%;
- if there was a trouble - 100% of the cost in the presence of supporting documents.
Remember that if the flight is delayed due to the fault of the airline, it must return all the funds spent to you, if the reason for the late departure was not force majeure, such as weather conditions, death of the pilot, etc.
Video
With the advent of the Internet, it has become much more convenient for people to make purchases and book tickets. What could be easier? You go to the site, register, and then choose the desired direction, date and time. And most importantly, without leaving home, you can choose a suitable place in the car. Yes, and payment occurs in a matter of seconds. Once! And the required amount was withdrawn from the card or electronic wallet. If desired, you can print a ticket and a receipt. But what if you still can't use your purchase? How to get a refund for an electronic ticket of Russian Railways? Where and how can this be done?
What are the real ways to return tickets?
If you have a situation due to which you could not use the previously ordered e-ticket, then you can always give it back. In this case, such delivery provides for the return of the funds spent.
Depending on the timing and circumstances, the amount received will be paid in full or in part. But how can I return the Russian Railways e-ticket?
In turn, the return of tickets is possible in the following ways:
- by delivery to the railway ticket office;
- using a personal account on the Russian Railways website or the resource of an intermediary company (for example, a tour operator, with the help of which the ticket was purchased).
Sometimes you can return tickets using self-service terminals.
What determines the choice of ticket return method?
When refunding Russian Railways electronic tickets, remember that your choice directly depends on several factors. So, if you have not used the ticket yet, but have already managed to print it out, then you can issue its change only at the box office of the railway station.
And vice versa, if your ticket has remained on the virtual form, then you can receive compensation for not using it online. However, this procedure should be done no later than one hour before the train's departure.
Reasons, terms and conditions of return
Don't know how to get a refund for an RZD e-ticket? We will tell you under what conditions you can painlessly do this. Of course, there can be many reasons for a return, but let's consider the most basic of them (those provided for by the return rules). For example, it is quite possible to return a ticket purchased for domestic Russian trains at your own request. Suddenly you changed your mind about leaving today and plan to do it in a couple of days.
Therefore, if you issued a refund approximately 7-8 hours before the train's departure, then minus fines and fees, you will receive an amount not much different from the original ticket price. Also, the return of the ticket is allowed two hours before the departure of the train. But in this case, only the original ticket price is included in the amount of compensation. The money for the reserved seat in such a situation is not returned. Moreover, how to return an electronic ticket to Russian Railways: through the box office or online, will depend on the timing and time of delivery, the presence or absence of a paper form.
The second case, when you will be able to get the full price of the ticket, but also without taking into account the reserved seat, is an illness or injury that happened shortly before the planned departure.
But if you booked tickets for a train going abroad, then you will be able to return them no later than one day before departure. Moreover, a refund will occur minus a fine (if everything is to blame for a disrespectful reason). Also, for each seat indicated in the tickets, a fee of 185 rubles 40 kopecks is charged.
What is the best way to use ticket refund?
It is possible to return electronic tickets from Russian Railways (it is possible to return the money only if the rules for returning travel documents are observed) either in the usual way or in a claim procedure. Moreover, in a working or usual manner, it is possible to receive a refund using an electronic form only in three cases:
- if for some reason you have not passed the electronic registration for the train;
- if you have registered and there is more than an hour left before the departure of your train;
- if the electronic registration is completed, but you missed the train.
In the claim procedure, the return of Russian Railways electronic tickets is possible in such situations:
- if 12 or more hours have passed since the departure of the train, but you did not manage to get on it;
- if you did not have time to get on the train for a good reason, for example, due to illness (but this requires a certificate obtained from a medical institution);
- provided that the ticket was returned approximately one hour before the departure of the train;
- in the event that you paid for your ticket by bank transfer and decided to return it.
How Russian Railways tickets are returned: online return rules and conditions
In case you decide to send your unused e-ticket online, follow the following rules:
- log into your account on the official website of Russian Railways (pass.rzd.ru);
- click on your last name or click on the "My Orders" button;
- find your electronic ticket that you plan to return;
- click on the "Request ticket status" button;
- click on the button "Make a refund" that appears on the right;
- in the pop-up window, select "yes" and agree to the proposed amount of compensation.
And if everything is done correctly, then in the status of your ticket, the button "Refund issued" will light up. Here's how to return an electronic ticket from Russian Railways without leaving your home. By the way, if you want to see and print all the information regarding all fees deducted from your refund amount, click on the "Refund Coupon" box. And it is this paper confirmation that you should keep with you until the money is returned.
How long does it take for a refund?
According to the current rules of Russian Railways, the return of funds is carried out within 7-30 calendar days from the date of application. Moreover, this operation takes place without your participation (automatically), therefore, you do not need to enter card details and other information about you. The crediting of funds confirms the message that appears in your order status "Refunded".
Note! Before refunding the money for the Russian Railways electronic ticket, the method that you used to make the payment will be checked. So, if you paid not with a card, but with the help of virtual currency or through cash terminals, then the return issuance of funds will be carried out only through the return cash desk.
In recent years, many tourists prefer to purchase plane tickets via the Internet.
This method justifies itself with its convenience and practicality - there is no more need to spend time moving around the city and waiting in line at the box office.
But, sometimes unforeseen circumstances occur, and the purchased ticket becomes unnecessary, and the trip needs to be postponed to another day, or completely abandoned.
Then the question arises: how to return tickets purchased via the Internet? How to get a refund for a ticket?
It does not matter in this case how the ticket was purchased (normal or via the Internet), the possibility of a refund for it depends on the fare at which it was purchased.
The fare is the conditions for the exchange or return of the ticket.
Many travelers do not bother to read a long text, but simply put a check mark at the end of it “acquainted”.
If you need a refund for an air ticket, you must carefully read the terms of the fare. The rules by which it will be possible to return a ticket can be found on the airline's website. This also applies to the purchase of a ticket on the Internet through an intermediary.
There are uniform rules for ticket refunds for all air carriers:
- The amount of the penalty for returning the ticket will be less if it was purchased at an expensive fare;
- The longer you delay with the return of the ticket, the smaller the amount you can return for it.
Some tickets may have special markings: non refundable or non ref.
Such travel documents are non-refundable. They are usually purchased at the lowest price, or at a promotional rate.
True, there is a chance to try to change this ticket for a similar one, but with a different departure date. To do this, you will most likely have to pay extra.
Just as important is the reason why it became necessary to return the ticket back. In the event that forced circumstances arose (the flight was delayed or canceled, a relative fell ill or died, or the passenger himself), then it is necessary to provide documents confirming this fact. In this case, the maximum possible amount assumed by the tariff will be returned.
In the event that there is no good reason for returning the ticket, then at best it will be possible to count on a minimum compensation.
In any case, the decision on the amount to be refunded will be made by the airline after all reasons have been considered.
When is the best time to buy a ticket
The sooner the e-ticket is refunded, the better.
- If you return a ticket more than 24 hours before departure, you can return its full cost (excluding commission, which is not subject to a refund). But, certain carriers have a system of customer fines and different fees may apply.
- If the ticket can be returned in less than a day, then in this case you cannot count on a refund amount of more than 75%.
- In the event that the ticket is rented on the day of departure of the aircraft, then every effort must be made to submit an application at least four hours before the start of check-in. In this case, you can hope for a refund of 75% of the cost. If an application for a refund for a ticket is submitted in less than four hours, then the fines may increase.
If you are late for a flight, if you have a full ticket, you can return it even after the departure of the aircraft.
It is often more profitable to reschedule the departure date and at the same time pay a fine than to return the ticket and then purchase a new one. The same applies to the situation if the security service detained.
Who will return the money
In order to return the tickets and return the money, you must write an application for a refund and come with it to the travel agency (it can also be an air ticket office or carrier) where the ticket was purchased.
The application must contain flight, ticket and booking numbers, as well as the date and time of departure.
This information can be found in the e-mail that is sent to everyone who has purchased a travel document.
There should be no errors during filling out the application, since in this case you will have to fill out everything again. This is fraught with the fact that the first version of the application will not be taken into account, which means that time will be lost and, in fact, it will turn out that the return was requested later.
Return procedure
Since we are talking about an air ticket purchased thanks to the possibilities of the Internet, in order to return it there is no need to come to the box office.
The entire return procedure is carried out on the website of the travel agency. In this case, you need to fill out an application on the right page.
Simultaneously with sending the application on the website, you need to attach to it a photo from the passport for which the ticket was purchased. Sometimes it is acceptable to send scans by e-mail.
In all cases, a personal appeal to the staff of the travel agency with a wish to postpone the date of departure or return the money for the ticket is allowed. This formality is common and does not require a lot of time. Ticket refunds are made daily by many passengers.
If the ticket was purchased through a travel agency, then the money will first come to her account, then to the account of the person who returned the ticket. An application for a refund of a ticket can be issued only by the person who bought this ticket. If this person does not have such an opportunity, then another person can write the application, but for this it will be necessary to certify the power of attorney with a notary.
How long does it take to get money back
This question cannot be answered unambiguously. How long the funds will be returned will depend on when the person decided to return the tickets purchased via the Internet and submitted the application. Also, the speed of the procedure will depend on the method of payment.
Funds are returned to the client in several ways:
- Cash back.
- By transfer to an electronic wallet.
- Transfer to a current account.
- Transfer to a bank card.
In order for the money to arrive on the card soon enough, you should indicate the last name, first name and patronymic of the client, as well as the bank coordinates and current account.
If payment for tickets was made through an electronic wallet, then you will need to specify:
- Surname, name and patronymic of the person for whom the ticket was purchased.
- Wallet number.
- The name of the electronic system. It can be Yandex money, WebMoney, etc.
As soon as the application is submitted, the client loses the right to a specific seat on the plane indicated on the ticket. It will be redeemed for some time by another client. After submitting the application, you cannot change your mind and return the ticket. The whole procedure can last from ten to ninety days.
The refund of air tickets in case of a late flight depends on the fare and rules of the airline. Most likely, the money for the ticket will not be returned to you, or a serious fine will be deducted. As soon as you realize that you are late, immediately call the airline and warn about it. So you will return at least part of the ticket price, for example, airport tax. If you are late for check-in, but the departure has not yet been announced, run to the counter and solve the problem on the spot. Some airlines make concessions and allow you to exchange a ticket on loyal terms.
According to the rules of the international service, an electronic travel document purchased via the Internet is no different from a paper counterpart. Therefore, there is a possibility for them to return. It may be complete or partial. The order and amount depends on the type of document and mode of transport.
How to get a refund for a plane ticket purchased online
The cost of an electronic travel document for an airplane is not refundable if it was bought at a discount. This includes all hot and promotional offers. The category of non-refundable travel documents does not include:
- Business Class;
- First grade;
- Regular flight.
If the passenger applied before the check-in procedure, the percentage of return will be from 75 to 95. Detailed information must be found on the official website of the carrier.
Non-refundable plane ticket how to get a refund
Despite the name, many are wondering if it is possible to get a refund for a non-refundable plane ticket?
The law provides for good reasons for the return of funds for electronic plane tickets.
These include:
- Cancellation, rescheduling or delay of an aircraft flight;
- Illness of a family member or the passenger himself;
- Death of a relative
- Mistakes and misprints in documents in which the airline is guilty;
- Airplane boarding delay.
But even here there are nuances. The passenger is obliged to apply to the airline in advance, and the deadline for applying is before the end of check-in. It is necessary to provide documents confirming the reason for the return. It is important to note that a death certificate or other document that takes time to process can be provided later. The main condition is a warning before the expiration date.
Can I get a refund for a plane ticket if I'm late?
If the delay is not critical and is no more than 5-10 minutes, you need to contact the paid check-in desk for the plane. If the plane was missed due to the passenger's fault, a refund can be made in exceptional cases. This applies to first class and business class tickets.
Refund for Russian Railways ticket
A travel document purchased at the Russian Railways station must be returned to the same ticket office. Compensation will be issued immediately.
If the passenger missed the local train, the return procedure is possible within 12 hours after departure. The amount of compensation is half of the train fare.
There is a separate procedure for CBs and compartments. If you bought all 4 seats, then you can receive compensation if you refuse all four seats placed in one order.
There are different ways to return money for Russian Railways tickets purchased via the Internet. For example, travel documents purchased online must be submitted in the personal account of the Russian Railways website. The money will be returned by transfer to the card from which the electronic travel cards were bought. However, in case of receipt of a boarding pass, the procedure for the return of the cost of the trip will be issued at the box office.
If, for one reason or another, the passenger did not use the right of travel both ways, he will receive compensation for both trips. Return shipping may be reimbursed.
Terms for refunding money for Russian Railways tickets to the card
Transfer transactions take time. Russian Railways LLC returns money on electronic travel documents from 3 days to a month. A month is the deadline, and such delays are rare.
How much money will be returned when returning a train ticket
The amount of money returned directly depends on the time the ticket is returned.
- For eight or more hours: 100% travel and reserved seat;
- Two hours before departure: 100 fare and 50% reserved seat;
- After departure, within 12 hours - 100% travel.
It should be taken into account that Russian Railways deducts a fee, which depends on comfort and cost.
Did not return the money for the Russian Railways e-ticket
If the money for the electronic travel document has not been credited to the passenger's account, it is necessary to clarify this issue by sending a claim to the company's e-mail. If a pre-trial settlement via the Internet is not possible, a statement of claim should be filed. It is recommended to consult with a specialist first.
Can I get a refund for a ticket if I missed the bus?
The most loyal rules apply to vehicles. Money for an electronic travel document purchased through the online booking system can be returned. The carrier has the right to withhold the costs associated with the refusal or delay. The critical deadline for submitting a travel document is no more than three hours after departure. Then compensation will be 75% of the cost. If a citizen was not late, but plans had to be changed, you can return from 85 to 95% of the cost of the bus trip.
The bus broke down on the way, will the money for the ticket be returned?
There are unpleasant cases associated with the breakdown of the bus. The law provides for the opportunity to file a claim with the ATP in order to compensate for the funds, taking into account the distance traveled. The application procedure is simple: in the application it is necessary to indicate the number of the regular bus and the time of departure. You can file a claim online. To do this, it must be written, scanned and sent to the carrier's website.
